Hot Beverage Container Lid Construction and Packaging Method

ABSTRACT

An insert construction or formation is attachable to a basic lid construction for outfitting a hot beverage or liquid container assembly for enabling a user to enhance heat transfer from a relatively hot assembly-contained beverage or liquid prior to consumption. The insert construction or formation provides a damming structure located in adjacency to the primary liquid outlet of the basic lid construction for selectively transferring liquid intermediate a liquid-containing compartment and at least one beverage-cooling channel made part of the damming structure. Each beverage-cooling channel or formation directs liquid therethrough and transfers heat therefrom before the liquid exits the primary liquid outlet. The primary dam structure or insert construction thereby enables the user to redirect liquid movement via the basic lid construction for delaying liquid delivery via the primary beverage outlet and transferring heat therefrom prior to liquid consumption. Certain packaging methodology of the complex lid construction is further contemplated.

PRIOR HISTORY

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/883,370 filed in the United States Patent andTrademark Office on 27 Sep. 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a combination lid-insertassembly for outfitting a hot beverage container. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a combination lid-insert construction foroutfitting a hot beverage container for enabling the drinker to slow theflow rate of hot beverage or to provide a short beverage-delivery delayfor effecting a transfer of heat from the slowed or delayed beverage andallowing drinker to start inhaling air prior to liquid passing throughmain opening allowing air to mix with incoming liquid prior toconsumption. Certain lid stacking and/or lid delivery methods arefurther supported by the following specifications.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

The broad field of lids for hot beverage containers and hot beveragecontainer assemblies inclusive of lids is exceedingly well-developed.The art relating to means for cooling hot beverages prior to consumptionis a bit more limited. In any case, it is most difficult to pinpoint themost pertinent art relevant to the present invention given the wideswath of art swept by beverage container constructions and developments.Nevertheless, some of the more pertinent prior is believed to be brieflydescribed hereinafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,493 ('493 patent), which issued to Robinson, forexample, discloses an Integrally Molded Measurer Dispenser. The '493patent describes a closure providing a side wall having first and seconddistal ends, an inner surface and an outer perimeter. A cone-shapeddivider projects inwardly and upwardly from a lower perimeter of theside wall and includes a drain-back orifice therethrough. Thecone-shaped divider further includes an apex having an openingtherethrough. The closure further provides a lid pivotally attached atan outer diameter thereof to the outer perimeter of the side wall firstdistal end by an integral hinge. The lid includes a shaped substantiallyconforming to the side wall perimeter.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,390 ('390 patent), which issued to Kemp, discloses aContainer Lid with Cooling Reservoir. The '390 patent describes acontainer lid with a cooling reservoir for releasably covering adisposable cup containing a hot beverage. The cooling reservoir includesa side wall with a small opening to allow a small volume of the hotbeverage to pass into the cooling reservoir in which the beveragesufficiently cools down to enable the consumer to sip the beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,173 ('173 patent), issued to Milan, discloses aBeverage container lid having baffle arrangement for liquid cooling. The'173 patent describes a removable beverage container lid wherein the lidhas a substantially enclosed space defined between an exterior cover andan interior cover. At least one inlet opening is formed in the interiorcover directing a hot beverage to flow into the substantially enclosedspace. Attached to the interior cover at the forward edge of the inletopening is a partition or wall assembly having a height extending to belocated substantially against the exterior cover and a length at leastequal to the length of the inlet opening. Between the partition or wallassembly and the peripheral edge of the exterior cover is located a gaparea. Connected with the gap area is a dispensing opening formed in theexterior cover. Hot beverage is required to flow around the partition orwall assembly and into the gap area prior to flowing through thedispensing opening exteriorly of a beverage container.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,510 ('510 patent), issued to Pavlopoulos, disclosesa Cup Assembly having a Cooling Compartment. The '510 patent describes acup assembly comprising a cup and a lid to define therebetween a firstpassage and a second passage to allow a liquid cooling compartmentbetween the lid and the cup to be filled with liquid contained in thecup when the first passage is clear and the second passage is blockedand the liquid in the liquid cooling compartment is able to flow out ofan outlet in communication with the liquid cooling compartment when thesecond passage is clear and the first passage is blocked.

United States Patent Application No. 2007/0062943, which was authored byBosworth, Sr., describes a container lid for a cup-type beverage whichincludes within the lid a disc-shaped media in which the lid is adaptedto be releasably affixed to the beverage container and where the lid isprotected from the beverage within the container and wherein the discmay be removed from the lid and utilized for entertainment purposes.

United States Patent Application No. 2010/0264150, which was authored byLeon et al., describes a disposable beverage cup a disposable beveragecup that comprises a ledge between the cup's rim and the graspingportion of the cup that is commonly held in the user's hand. The ledge,which comprises a curb, a horizontal plane, and one or moreindentations, acts as a barrier between the user's hand and otherobjects, preventing a lid that has been press fit onto the cup's rimfrom being dislodged. In order to remove the lid, the user must insert afinger and/or thumb into the indentation(s) and press upward on the lid.The cup has a contour between the ledge and the grasping portion withergonomic features to increase the user's comfort in handling the cup.

United States Patent Application No. 2010/0320220, which was authored byHussey et al., describes a plastic lid for a drinks container, forexample, a coffee cup. The plastic lid is provided with an ancillaryaccess facility in the form of an opening or a part of the lid easilyremovable to form an opening. The ancillary access facility allows aperson to drink from the container without removal of the lid. After theancillary access facility has been cleaned or de-contaminated it isprotected by the application of a protective cover.

The protective cover may have a variety of shapes, for example, it maycover the entire lid or it may cover only a selected part of the lid,for example, only the area of the lid involving the ancillary accessfacility. The protective cover protects the ancillary access facilityfrom the inadvertent transfer of germs to the drinking area by theperson dispensing the drinks as they push the lid down with their handsto seal the lid to the container top. The protective covers are arrangedto be easily stripped from the lid by the application of mere fingerpressure.

From a consideration of the foregoing, it will be noted that the priorart perceives a need for a low cost, disposable hot beverage containerassembly having a combination lid-insert construction or complex lidconstruction built by way of a basic lid construction and an insertconstruction according to the present invention so as to enable the userto quickly and easily slow beverage or liquid flow rates or delaybeverage delivery for transferring heat from the hot beverage or liquidso as to avoid scalding prior to beverage consumption or liquiddelivery.

The prior art further perceives a need for lid-insert combination orcomplex lid construction that may be pre-packaged in stacked,spring-like columns so that when the user opens the stacked, spring-likecolumn, the lid-insert combinations individually become decompressed andspring into a ready to use configuration. In this last regard, the priorart perceives a need for such a combination hot beverage containerlid-insert assembly or combination, and certain lid-stacking and/or liddelivery methodology supported thereby as summarized in more detailhereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the aforementioned and other readily apparent objectives, thepresent invention essentially discloses a hot beverage containerlid-insert assembly for enabling a user/drinker to effectively transferheat from a relatively hot assembly-contained beverage so as to cool thebeverage before it enters the user's/drinker's mouth. The presentinvention is thus contemplated to provide certain low-cost, disposablemeans for transferring thermal energy from a relatively hot liquidbeverage to relatively cool surroundings so as to prevent scaldingbefore consumption thereof.

When viewed in combination with a hot beverage container assembly, thepresent invention is believed to comprise a container structure, a lidstructure, and an insert construction that is preferably integrallyformed with or adhered to the lid construction. The insert constructionaccording to the present invention preferably comprises a downwardlyextended or bowed portion that extends radially inward from the insertperiphery such that the central terminus partially extends across thediameter of the lid construction in a direction opposite that of theprimary opening of the lid.

The essential container structure is believed to preferably comprise acontainer bottom, a container wall, and an upper container rim. Theupper container rim has a rim perimeter, which rim perimeter preferablyextends in a rim plane. The lid structure or construction is believed topreferably comprise a lip top, a lid wall, and a lower lid rim having acontainer rim-receiving groove. Thus, the lower lid rim receives or isotherwise attachably cooperable with the upper container rim. The lidtop comprises a primary beverage outlet, which outlet may be of varioussizes and configurations.

Central to the practice of the present invention is the insertconstruction of the lid-insert combination. The insert structure orconstruction preferably comprises a beverage-damming structure orportion and an outer rim-engaging structure or periphery. The insertconstruction is contemplated to be preferably formed from an elastic orresilient, thermally-insulative, food-grade, and heat-resistantmaterial. It is contemplated that the material should undergo minimal orminimized structural/dimensional changes when heat is transferred intothe material. The insert construction is preferably sized and shaped forreceipt within the rim perimeter and, being received, a portion thereofextends in a convex manner relative to the rim plane.

In this last regard, a portion of the lid insert construction extendsdownwardly in a bowed manner relative to the lid top in inferioradjacency to the primary beverage outlet at the peak or highest point ofthe lid construction, and extends inwardly from the periphery of the lidrim toward the center of the insert construction. Noting that the uppersurface of the lid structure or that the lid top is angled relative tothe plane of the lid rim, successive lid assemblies may thus be stackedin an alternating manner such that the downwardly bowed portion of afirst lid assembly fills space in inferior adjacency to the primarybeverage outlet of the first lid assembly and fills space in superioradjacency to the lowest portion of the oblique lid top of a second lidassembly situated underneath the first lid assembly in stacked relationto one another.

This alternating alignment of lid assemblies may otherwise be describedas a single column of stacked lid assemblies with alternating lidassembly configurations, wherein a first set of lid assemblies in thesingle stack have an alignment such that the bowed portions are directedin a first direction, and a second set of lid assemblies in the singlestack have an alignment such that the bowed portions are directed in asecond direction opposite the first direction.

In other words, the present invention provides a hot beverage containerinsert construction that is rotatable and thus re-orientable about acolumnar stack axis intermediate two stacked configurations, the stackedconfigurations being designed for packaging and lid-delivery purposes.When the columnar configuration thus described is compressed, the bottomsurface of the bowed portion comes into contact with the upper surfaceof the lid top situated directly underneath at the lower portion of theobliquely angled lid top.

The lid construction comprises a resilient material at the wall thereofand when in a compressed state, a wall portion becomes resilientlyactuated. When the compressive force is removed, the wall portionrelaxes and a lid-grabbing space is created intermediate verticallystacked lid assemblies for enabling the user to more easily grab asingle lid assembly from the stack. The insert construction is thus a“pop-up” type container-lid insert that pops from the actuated stateinto the relaxed state by the removal of a compressive force directedaxially into the stacked column.

Stated another way, the present invention is believed to essentiallyprovide a lid insert construction for building a lid-insert combinationor complex lid construction and thus provides a hot beverage containerassembly when used in combination with a beverage container for enablinga user to transfer heat from a relatively hot assembly-containedbeverage prior to consumption.

Thus when viewed systemically, or from an ensemble point of view, theinvention may be said to preferably comprise, in combination, a beveragecontainer, a basic lid construction, and an insert construction asvariously contemplated within these specifications. The lid constructionaccording to or cooperable with the present invention preferablycomprises a primary beverage outlet. The various preferred andalternative insert construction(s) are preferably sized and shaped forattachment to the basic lid construction for defining a lowerbeverage-containing compartment and at least one upper beverage-coolingchannel as at formations. The insert construction(s) preferably comprisea downwardly extended primary dam structure or portion. The primary damstructure is located in adjacency to the primary beverage outlet forredirecting beverage movement as it moves from the beverage-containingcompartment to the beverage-cooling channels or formations, orcompartments.

Each beverage-cooling channel defined by the insert construction(s) thusreceives heat or effects a heat transfer from the beverage before saidbeverage exits the primary beverage outlet. The primary dam structurethereby provides certain beverage-redirection means for enabling theuser to redirect beverage movement via the lid and insert constructionsand for (a) delaying beverage delivery via the primary beverage outletand (b) transferring heat therefrom prior to beverage consumption.

A downwardly extended portion preferably extends inwardly from an insertperimeter, and partially across the diameter of the basic lidconstruction in inferior adjacency to the primary beverage outlet. Thechannel formations together may be said to define a peripheralbeverage-receiving channel intermediate the insert construction(s) andthe basic lid construction for directing hot beverage into said channelfor effecting radially directed heat transfer from the hot beveragethrough walls of the insert and lid constructions. The radially directedheat transfer effected by the beverage-receiving channel is believed toenhance heat transfer from the hot beverage prior to exiting the primarybeverage outlet.

The beverage-redirection means according to the present invention may beexemplified by primary and secondary apertures. The primary aperturesfunction primarily for outletting hot beverage from thebeverage-containing compartment into the at least one beverage coolingchannel, and the secondary apertures redirect or delay beverage movementbetween beverage-cooling channels for enhancing the heat transfercharacteristics of the hot beverage container assembly, lid-insertcombination, or insert construction(s).

The lid construction may optionally or alternatively comprise a lid topand a lid rim, whereby the lid top is angled obliquely relative to thelid rim such that a lid peak is structurally situated anteriorlyadjacent the primary beverage outlet and a lower lid portion. Theobliquely angled lid top of a first lid-insert combination may beoriented in opposed inferior adjacency to the downwardly extendedportion of a second lid-insert combination thereby creating a lidstacking arrangement characterized by oppositely faced anterior portionsof the lid-insert combinations in sequentially stacked lid-insertcombinations, said stacking arrangement for reducing stacked height oflid-insert combinations.

A select construction as selected from the group consisting of the basiclid construction and the various insert construction(s), preferablycomprises a resilient material construction. The resilient materialconstruction, particularly at certain wall portions, enables aresiliently compressed stacking arrangement. The resiliently compressedstacking arrangement forms a compressed stacked height of lid-insertcombinations. The compressed stacked height is lesser than adecompressed stacked height thereby leading to certain packagingmethodology as briefly discussed hereinafter.

A lid-insert combination or lid construction packaging method, accordingto the present invention and believed supported by the followingspecifications and drawings submitted in support thereof, minimizespackaging space and may preferably provide end-users with pre-relaxedlid-insert combinations or complex lid constructions.

The lid packaging method according to the present invention may be saidto preferably comprise the initial step of outfitting a series of lidconstructions (e.g. basic lid constructions) with a series of insertconstructions or forming a series of insert-outfitted lid assemblies,each outfitted lid construction being configurable in a firstradially-directed lid configuration or a second radially-directed lidconfiguration opposite the first radially-directed lid configuration.

In other words, the first radially-directed lid configuration isoriented such that the anterior aspects of the lid assemblies extend ina first radial direction, and the second radially-directed lidconfiguration is oriented such that the anterior aspects of the lidassemblies extend in a second radial direction opposite the first radialdirection. The series of insert-outfitted lid assemblies are stacked ina relaxed stacked columnar formation, such that the first lidconfiguration is alternated with the second lid configuration. Therelaxed stacked columnar formation may then be compressed intocompressed stacked columnar formation, and later decompressed from thecompressed stacked columnar formation into a decompressed stackedcolumnar formation.

The compressed stacked columnar formation may be force-maintained viacertain force maintenance means as may be exemplified by a certainwrapping or packaging, and the force-maintained compressed stackedcolumnar formation may then be shipped to an end user. Noting that thewalls of the outfitted lid constructions may preferably comprise certainresilient materials, the method may comprise the optional steps ofradially actuating the resilient material constructions via underlyingupper wall-engaging portions of successive lid constructions during thecompression step, and radially relaxing the resilient materialconstructions during the decompression step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from aconsideration of the following brief descriptions of patent drawings:

FIG. 1 is a first sequential longitudinal cross-sectional depiction of apreferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionassembled atop a beverage container, showing the outfitted beveragecontainer in a vertical orientation before being angled a first time.FIGS. 13-21 further show the preferred lid-insert combination accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 1( a) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention as sectionedat A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a second sequential longitudinal cross-sectional depiction ofthe preferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionassembled atop a beverage container, showing the outfitted beveragecontainer in a first angled orientation for outletting beverage from thecontainer into beverage-cooling channels of the preferred lid-insertcombination.

FIG. 2( a) is a transverse cross-sectional view the preferred lid-insertcombination according to the present invention as sectioned at B-B inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a third sequential longitudinal cross-sectional depiction ofthe preferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionassembled atop a beverage container, showing the outfitted beveragecontainer in a second vertical orientation for allowing beveragereceived in the beverage cooling channels of the lid-insert combinationto transfer heat therefrom.

FIG. 3( a) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention as sectionedat C-C in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fourth sequential longitudinal cross-sectional depiction ofthe preferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionassembled atop a beverage container, showing the outfitted beveragecontainer in a second angled orientation for outletting beverage fromthe beverage-cooling channels through the primary beverage outlet.

FIG. 4( a) is a transverse cross-sectional view of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention as sectionedat D-D in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, first sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of a slightly modified preferred lid-insert combinationaccording to the present invention assembled atop a beverage containerholding a hot beverage and showing the outfitted beverage container in avertical orientation before being angled a first time.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, second sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of the slightly modified preferred lid-insert combinationaccording to the present invention otherwise depicted in FIG. 5assembled atop a beverage container holding a hot beverage and showingthe outfitted beverage container in an angled position for outlettingbeverage from the primary beverage outlet.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, third sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of the slightly modified lid-insert combination according tothe present invention assembled atop a beverage container holding a hotbeverage and showing the outfitted beverage container in a verticalorientation with hot beverage received in beverage cooling channels ofthe lid-insert combination.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fourth sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of the slightly modified lid-insert combination according tothe present invention assembled atop a beverage container holding a hotbeverage and showing the outfitted beverage container in an angledposition for outletting beverage from the primary beverage outlet anddirectional arrows depicting beverage movement according to the angledposition.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fifth sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of the slightly modified lid-insert combination according tothe present invention assembled atop a beverage container holding a hotbeverage and showing the outfitted beverage container in an angledposition for outletting beverage from the primary beverage outlet,directional arrows depicting beverage movement according to the angledposition, and a depiction of heat being transferred from the beverage asreceived in the beverage cooling channels.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional depiction of a genericlid-insert combination according to the present invention depictingradially directed thermal transfer of heat through an outer walldefining an annular beverage cooling channel or cavity embedded withinthe lid-insert combination.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic, first sequential longitudinal cross-sectionaldepiction of a stacked column of lid-insert combinations according tothe present invention in a relaxed, uncompressed state showing alid-grabbing space between lid-insert combinations.

FIG. 11A is a fragmentary diagrammatic depiction of a lid-to-walljunction site showing a wall construction radially relaxing to a relaxedposition from an actuated position.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic, second sequential longitudinalcross-sectional depiction of a stacked column of lid-insert combinationsaccording to the present invention in an actuated, compressed stateeliminating the lid-grabbing space between lid-insert combinations.

FIG. 12A is a fragmentary diagrammatic depiction of a lid-to-walljunction site showing a wall construction radially actuating to anactuated position from a relaxed position.

FIG. 12B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as sectioned fromFIG. 12 to more clearly show the lid-to-wall junction site and aresilient wall construction being actuated in a radially outwarddirection.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic depiction of the pathway beverage follows asit exits the hot beverage container assembly outfitted with thepreferred lid-insert combination according to the present invention, hotbeverage being depicted with a first, rightward-directed arrow, andcooling or cooled beverage being depicted with a second,leftward-directed arrow.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged frontal edge view depiction of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention showing thelid portion of the lid-insert combination in broken lines and the insertportion of the lid-insert combination in solid lines.

FIG. 15 is a first enlarged top perspective view depiction of thepreferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionshowing the lid portion of the lid-insert combination in broken linesand the insert portion of the lid-insert combination in solid lines.

FIG. 16 is a first enlarged bottom perspective view depiction of thepreferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionshowing the lid portion of the lid-insert combination in broken linesand the insert portion of the lid-insert combination in solid lines.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged lateral edge view depiction of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention showing thelid portion of the lid-insert combination in broken lines and the insertportion of the lid-insert combination in solid lines.

FIG. 18 is an exploded frontal view depiction of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention showing theexploded lid-insert combination exploded from a beverage container.

FIG. 19 is an exploded lateral view depiction of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention showing theexploded lid-insert combination exploded from a beverage container.

FIG. 20 is an exploded top perspective view depiction of the preferredlid-insert combination according to the present invention showing theexploded lid-insert combination exploded from a beverage container.

FIG. 21 is an exploded anterior top perspective view depiction ofpreferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionshowing the exploded lid-insert combination exploded from a beveragecontainer.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged anterior top perspective view depiction of afirst alternative lid-insert combination according to the presentinvention, the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lidportion being shown in broken lining.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged anterior elevational view depiction of the firstalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged top view depiction of the first alternativelid-insert combination according to the present invention, the insertportion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion being shown inbroken lining.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged top perspective view depiction of a secondalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged bottom view depiction of the second alternativelid-insert combination according to the present invention, the insertportion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion being shown inbroken lining.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged top perspective view depiction of a thirdalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged bottom view depiction of the third alternativelid-insert combination according to the present invention, the insertportion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion being shown inbroken lining.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged top perspective view depiction of a fourthalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged bottom perspective view depiction of the fourthalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged top perspective view depiction of a fifthalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged bottom perspective view depiction of the fifthalternative lid-insert combination according to the present invention,the insert portion being shown in solid lining and the lid portion beingshown in broken lining.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND METHODOLOGY

Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the preferredembodiments of the present invention primarily concern a (hot) beveragecontainer lid-insert combination or complex lid construction forenabling a user/drinker to effectively transfer heat (as genericallyreferenced at 100) from a relatively hot assembly-contained beverage 101so as to cool the beverage 101 before it enters the user's/drinker'smouth. The present invention is thus contemplated to provide certainlow-cost, disposable means for transferring thermal energy from arelatively hot liquid beverage 101 to relatively cool surroundings so asto prevent scalding primarily and/or spillage secondarily.

FIGS. 1-4( a) primarily depict hot liquid flow dynamics and functions ofdamming structure and highlights the cooling channel as at referencenumeral 4 of the preferred lid-insert combination or structuralembodiment, which preferred embodiment is further generally depicted inFIGS. 13-21. FIGS. 5-9 show hot liquid flow dynamics and function of aslightly modified preferred embodiment as compared to the preferredembodiment otherwise depicted in FIGS. 1-4( a) and 13-21. FIG. 10primarily shows or depicts heat 100 passing of transferring from hotliquid trapped in the cooling channels/cavities 4 through the outsidewall 22 of the lid construction 11. FIGS. 11 and 12 comparatively showan optional stacking arrangement of the lid-insert constructionsaccording to the present invention.

In this last regard, the reader will please consider FIGS. 22-24, whichfigures depict a first alternative embodiment according to the presentinvention. The first alternative embodiment basically eliminates thecooling chamber 106 defined by bowed portion 26 by adding an airflowbridge structure as at 301, which bridge structure 301 extends acrosscooling compartment 106 defined inferiorly by bowed portion 26. Thefirst alternative embodiment attempts to provide all the benefits of thepreferred embodiment but has better stackability. The air intake spaceas referenced at 303 is more akin to an indentation as opposed to achamber. The low point or airflow trough or valley 302 is situated at apoint below the top ridge 304 of the bridge structure 301. An optimizedalternative of this first alternative embodiment is the fifthalternative embodiment otherwise depicted in FIGS. 31 and 32.

The alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 25-32 primarily representoptimized options to lower manufacturing costs or material costs duringthe manufacturing process of the lid-insert combinations withoutsacrificing significant functionality. The frontal or anterior portionsof the insert constructions provide the most functionality and benefits,stemming primarily from the damming structure and its cooling effects.The optimized alternatives provide partial representations of theotherwise fully functional preferred embodiment(s). The fully functionalpreferred embodiments have added benefits of enhanced structuralintegrity of the lid-insert combination which leads to a strongergripping action on the container portion as at 10 of the overallassembly.

Accordingly, when viewed in terms of an ensemble, or in combination witha hot beverage container, or as a hot beverage container assembly, thepresent invention is believed to comprise a container structure as at 10and a lid-insert combination according to one of the preferred oralternative embodiments disclosed in these specifications. Thelid-insert combination is believed to comprise a lid structure orconstruction as at 11, and an insert structure or construction asgenerally depicted and referenced at 12. The essential containerstructure 10 is believed to preferably comprise a container bottom, acontainer wall as at 19, and an upper container rim as at 20. The uppercontainer rim 20 has a rim perimeter, which rim perimeter preferablyextends in a rim plane.

The basic lid structure or construction 11 is believed to preferablycomprise a lip top 21, a lid wall 22, and a lower lid rim 23 having acontainer rim-receiving groove 24. Thus, the lower lid rim 23 receivesor is otherwise attachably cooperable with the upper container rim 20.The lid top 21 preferably comprises a primary beverage outlet as at 25at or adjacent a peak 210 of the lid top 21, which primary beverageoutlet 25 may be of various sizes and configurations. It iscontemplated, for example, that the outlet 25 may be circular ofdiffering diameters. Other outlet shapes are contemplated, however, suchas oval outlets or generally rectangular outlets. The size and shape ofthe primary outlet 25 is not believed critical to the practice of thepresent invention, although it is noted that larger primary outlets 25tend to outlet beverage or liquid flow (as at 7′) at a greater rate andthus may more readily subject users/drinkers to scalding should theassembly-contained beverage 101 be injuriously hot. The presentinvention is thus believed particularly designed for basic lidstructures or constructions 11 having relatively large primary beverageoutlets 25.

Central to the practice of the present invention are the various insertconstructions as alternatively referenced at 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and12E of the lid-insert combination. In this regard, it is contemplatedthat the insert constructions 12-12E may be preferably integrally formedwith the basic lid construction 11, or may be separately adhered theretoas an alternative for forming a relatively more complex lidconstruction. The preferred insert structure or construction 12preferably comprises a beverage-damming structure or portion as at 111and an outer rim-engaging structure or periphery. The insertconstruction 12 is contemplated to be preferably formed from athermally-insulative, food-grade, and heat-resistant material.

In this last regard, it is contemplated that the material should undergominimal or minimized structural/dimensional changes when heat 100 istransferred into the material. The beverage-damming structure 111 ispreferably sized and shaped for receipt within the rim perimeter and,being received, comprises a downwardly extending bowed portion as at 26and an insert wall-based groove or groove-shaped wall as at 27.

The wall-based groove or groove-shaped wall 27 defines an annularperipheral beverage-receiving or liquid-cooling cavity or channel as at4 located intermediate the insert construction(s) 12 and the basic lidconstruction 11 for directing hot beverage 101 into said channel 4 foreffecting heat transfer 100 from the hot beverage 101 through thematerial of the insert construction(s) 12 and lid construction 11radially as generally depicted in FIGS. 3 and 10. The annular channel 4and radial heat transfer 100 effected by the beverage-receiving channel4 is believed to enhance and/or expedite heat transfer 100 from the hotbeverage 101 prior to exiting the primary beverage outlet 25.

The channel formation 4 is preferably of an annular shape orconfiguration thereby minimizing the cross-sectional area ofchannel-received liquid for increasing the rate of heat transfer 100therefrom as compared to structural pooling characteristics taught bythe liquid-cooling chambers or compartments taught by Milan in U.S. Pat.No. 6,488,173 ('173 patent). The present invention attempts to direct orchannel hot beverage liquid into the interstices between wall portionsof the upper or outer basic lid construction and the lower or innerinsert construction(s) for effecting radially directed heat transferfrom minimized liquid quantities directed into the channel formation(s)4.

The downwardly extended bowed portion 26 extends radially inwardly fromthe lid wall 22 partially across the diameter of the lid element orconstruction 11 in inferior adjacency to the primary beverage outlet 25generally located at a peak 210 of the lid top 21, which lid top 21 maybe optionally obliquely angled relative to the lower lid rim 23. A lowerlid portion 211 of the optionally and obliquely angled lid top 21extends in the direction opposite the peak 210. In other words, thecontainer lid-insert combination according to the present inventioncomprises bowed portion 26 that extends inwardly from the lid perimeter,the bowed portion 26 extending partially across the diameter of the lidconstruction 11 in inferior adjacency to the primary beverage outlet 25.

This construction or general design feature enables the lid-insertcombination(s) 11-12 to be stackable in a series of successive containerlid-insert combinations 11-12 as generally and comparatively depicted inFIGS. 11 and 12. Referencing FIGS. 11 and 12, the reader will note thatthe bowed portions 26 of a first set of container lid-insertcombinations 11-12 extend downwardly in superior adjacency to the lowerlid portion 211 of the obliquely angled lid top 21 of a second set ofcontainer lid-insert combinations 11-12. Accordingly, the series ofsuccessively stacked container lid-insert combinations 11-12 thus reducestacked space for packaging and lid delivery purposes.

The series of stacked lid-insert combinations 11-12 further function toeffect a “pop-up” type packaging effect that pops or resiliently relaxesfrom the actuated state as generally depicted in FIG. 12 to a relaxedstate as generally depicted in FIG. 11. In this regard, the reader willnote that an upper edge or peak 210 of a first lid top 21 engages theback wall 212 of a second lid top 21 such that the back wall 212 mayelastically deform under compressive forces as at 115. When thecompressive forces 115 are removed, the stack 117 decompresses as atarrows 122. During decompression, the back wall 212 relaxes and theseries of stacked container lid-insert combinations 11-12 pop back (asat up arrows 121) to the configuration generally depicted in FIG. 11,which configuration provides a lid-grabbing space as at 116 so thatusers may more easily and readily grab a single lid-insert combination11-12 from the stack 117.

It will thus be seen that the insert-outfitted container lidconstructions or combinations 11-12 may be preferably stacked intonested columns or stacks 117, which nested columns or stacks 117naturally have some inherent spring characteristic of their own based onthe collective resiliency of the resilient wall 212 constructions. Whenin a compressed state, the columns or stacks 117 and certain forcemaintenance means (as may be defined or exemplified by certainpackaging) operate to keep or force (as at vectors 115) the lid-insertconstructions or combinations 11-12 in the actuated configuration asgenerally depicted in FIG. 12.

In other words, the columns or stacks 117 are preferably maintained inthe compressed state by virtue of certain packaging parameters or means.When the force maintenance means are released from the columnar orstacked formations 117, the container lid insert constructions 11-12automatically return to their relaxed configurations as generallydepicted in FIG. 11, and the stacked columnar formations 117 becomedecompressed stacked columnar formations.

It will be noted that the beverage-damming structure(s) 111 of insertstructure(s) 12 preferably comprises a series of apertures or cut-outsas generically referenced at 5. The series of apertures 5 primarilyfunctions to outlet beverage 101 from the beverage-containingcompartment as at 105 into certain beverage-cooling channels as at 4 and8, and beverage-cooling compartment as at 106. The beverage-coolingchannel 4 and formation 8 and compartment 106 receive heat 100 from thebeverage 101 thereby enabling the beverage 101 to cool before beingfurther outlet (as at 7′) via the primary beverage outlet 25.

The series of apertures 5 may secondarily function, however, to inletair from the beverage-cooling channels 4 and 8, and beverage-coolingcompartment 106 to the beverage-containing compartment 105. Thebeverage-cooling channels 4 and 106 receive heat 100 from the beverage101 thereby enabling the beverage 100 to cool before being furtheroutlet via the primary beverage outlet 25. It is contemplated that thebeverage-damming structure 111 slows the rate of beverage flow 7 orprovides a short delay of beverage movement by temporarily trapping thebeverage 101 so as to enable heat 100 transfer from the beverage 101.

The reader is directed to secondary aperture(s) or channel formations 8created by the outward ridges of the beverage damming structure 111 andside wall 22 of the upper portion of the lid element or construction 11.These ridges extended forward specifically to decrease diameter or sizeof the openings or channel formations 8 and to slow beverage flow orprovide delayed delivery of hot liquid or beverage 101 for effectingheat transfer from the hot liquid or beverage 101 from primary apertures5 to the primary beverage outlet 25.

In general the primary apertures 5 and the secondary apertures orchannel formations 8 cooperate such that the primary apertures 5 enableletting of relatively larger volumes of hot liquid or beverage 101because hot liquid or beverage 101 enters therethrough under greater“pressure” as the hydraulic force of larger volumes of hot liquid orbeverage 101 from the main compartment 105 creates greater “pressure”.After the hot liquid or beverage 101 has passed through the mainapertures 5, the hot liquid or beverage flows or is directed as atarrows 120 by gravitational force and much lower pressure to thesecondary apertures or channel formations 8.

The relatively smaller diameter or sized secondary apertures or channelformations 8 create a trapping or damming effect, which allows portionsof the hot liquid or beverage 101 to be trapped in cooling channel 4with relative low volumes being able to pass through the secondaryapertures or channel formations 8. The apertures or channel formations 8further create a micro cooling effect by differential pressure.

While, minimal, the micro cooling effect adds to a total cumulativecooling effect. Further, the secondary cooling channel as at 4 in thisparticular embodiment acts as air intake compartment. Moving air passeshot beverage 101 within the channel 4 and cools down the hot beverage101 and enhances taste of hot beverage 101. In summary, channelformation 8 may preferably comprises a transverse cross-sectional arearelatively lesser than the transverse cross-sectional area of channelformation 4 to achieve the foregoing affect(s).

The delay in beverage delivery is important not only for letting liquidprogress through the beverage cooling channels or formations 4/8, but isalso no less important for enabling the drinker to start inhaling airbefore the hot liquid approaches the main opening or primary beverageoutlet 25. In practice, hot liquid, progressing through the intersticesor formations 4/8 of the complex lid construction, comes into contactwith air currents created by inhaled airflow(s) created by the drinkerthereby decreasing the likelihood of hot liquid coming first intocontact with the drinker's anatomy before it mixes with the airflow.This type of dynamic is particularly important when the drinker mayotherwise experience difficulty in finely controlling liquid outflow(s),as would be the case, for example, during times of simultaneous drivingor walking activities. Moreover, the practice of firstly inhaling airand contacting the inhaled air up with flows hot liquid or beverage mayeffectively enhance the taste of hot beverage by enabling a greatersense of aroma to be present.

When the lid structure 11, container structure 10 and insertstructure(s) 12 are assembled, the apertures 5 enable the user tocontrol beverage flow 7 rates by selectively angling the beveragecontainer assembly relative to the horizon or beverage surface 109. Acomparative inspection of the figures will illustrate for the readerthat together the beverage damming structure 111 and beverage-permeatingmeans (as exemplified by apertures 5), operate to slow the beverage flow7 rate or otherwise provide a short delay to beverage movement beforeexiting the primary beverage outlet 25 for enabling heat 100 to transferfrom the hot beverage 101 within the beverage-cooling channels 4 and106.

Referencing FIGS. 1-1( a), the reader will consider hot beverage 101contained in the beverage container 10 having a container wall 19 and acontainer rim 20. A lid construction 11 is outfitted with an insertconstruction 12 thereby forming a lid-insert combination. The lid-insertcombination is assembled atop the beverage container 10 via rim 23thereby forming a beverage-containing compartment 105.

FIG. 2 is a second sequential longitudinal cross-sectional depiction ofa preferred lid-insert combination according to the present inventionassembled atop the beverage container 10, showing the lid-insertcombination-outfitted beverage container 10 in a first angledorientation for outletting beverage flow 7 of the beverage 101 from thecontainer 10 into beverage-cooling channel formations 4 and 8 viaapertures 5 formed in the insert construction 12. Hot beverage 101 istrapped in the cooling channel formations 4 and 8 thereby engaging boththe outer wall 22 of the lid construction 11 and the inner wall 27 ofthe damming insert construction 12, and heat 100 passes through thesewalls 22 and 27 for cooling down hot beverage or liquid 101 forconsuming the liquid exit flow 7′.

FIGS. 3 and 3( a) show the outfitted beverage container 10 in a secondvertical orientation for allowing beverage 101 received in thebeverage-cooling channels 4 and 8 of the lid-insert combination toradially transfer heat 101 via the walls 22 and 27. The outfittedcontainer assembly is then angled a second time directing as at arrows120 liquid flow 7 prior to consumption via liquid exit flow 7′ via theprimary beverage outlet 25 as generally depicted in FIGS. 4 and 4( a).

While the foregoing specifications set forth much specificity, the sameshould not be construed as setting forth limits to the invention butrather as setting forth certain preferred embodiments and features. Forexample, as prefaced hereinabove, it is contemplated that the presentinvention essentially provides a lid insert construction for building alid-insert combination or complex lid construction and thus providing ahot beverage container assembly for enabling a user to transfer heatfrom a relatively hot assembly-contained beverage prior to consumption.

Viewed systemically, or from an ensemble point of view, the inventionmay be said to preferably comprise, in combination, a beverage containeras at 10, a lid construction as at 11, and an insert construction asgenerically referenced at 12. A first alternative insert construction isreferenced at 12A, a second alternative insert construction isreferenced at 12B, a third alternative insert construction is referencedat 12C, a fourth alternative insert construction is referenced at 12D,and a fifth alternative insert construction is referenced at 12E.

The lid construction 11 preferably comprises a primary beverage outletas at 25, and the insert construction(s) 12 (i.e. 12, 12A, 12B, 12C,12D, and/or 12E) are preferably sized and shaped for attachment to thelid construction 11 for defining a lower beverage-containing compartmentas at 105 and at least one upper beverage-cooling channel as atformations 4 and/or 8. The insert construction(s) 12 preferably comprisea downwardly extended primary dam structure or portion 111. The primarydam structure 111 is located in inferior adjacency to the primarybeverage outlet 25 for redirecting beverage movement as it moves fromthe beverage-containing compartment 105 to the at least onebeverage-cooling channel or formation as at 4 and 8, or compartment 106.

Each beverage-cooling channel defined by the insert construction(s) thusreceives heat or effects a heat transfer from the beverage 101 beforesaid beverage 101 exits the primary beverage outlet 25. The primary damstructure thereby provides certain beverage-redirection means forenabling the user to redirect beverage movement via the lid and insertconstructions 11 and 12 for (a) delaying beverage delivery via theprimary beverage outlet and (b) transferring heat 100 therefrom prior tobeverage consumption.

A downwardly extended portion 26 preferably extends (a) inwardly from aninsert perimeter, and (b) partially across the diameter of the lidconstruction 11 in inferior adjacency to the primary beverage outlet 25.The channel formations 4 and 8 together may be said to define aperipheral beverage-receiving channel intermediate the insertconstruction(s) 12 and the lid construction 11 for directing hotbeverage into said channel for effecting radially directed heat transferas at 100 from the hot beverage through walls (e.g. walls 22 and 27) ofthe insert and lid constructions 12 and 11. The radially directed heattransfer as at 100 effected by the beverage-receiving channel isbelieved to enhance heat transfer from the hot beverage prior to exitingthe primary beverage outlet 25.

The beverage-redirection means according to the present invention may beexemplified by primary and secondary apertures. The primary apertures(as at 5) function primarily for outletting hot beverage 101 from thebeverage-containing compartment 105 into the at least one beveragecooling channel as at formation 4, and the secondary apertures as ataperture or formation 8 redirect beverage movement betweenbeverage-cooling channels for enhancing the heat transfercharacteristics of the hot beverage container assembly, lid-insertcombination, or insert construction(s) 12.

The lid construction 11 may optionally or alternatively comprise a lidtop 21 and a lid rim 23, whereby the lid top 21 is angled obliquelyrelative to the lid rim 23 such that a lid peak as at 210 isstructurally situated anteriorly adjacent the primary beverage outlet 25and a lower lid portion 211. The obliquely angled lid top of a firstlid-insert combination may be oriented in opposed inferior adjacency tothe downwardly extended portion of a second lid-insert combinationthereby creating a lid stacking arrangement characterized by oppositelyfaced anterior portions of the lid-insert combinations in sequentiallystacked lid-insert combinations, said stacking arrangement for reducingstacked height of lid-insert combinations as generally and comparativelydepicted in FIGS. 11 and 12.

A select construction as selected from the group consisting of the lidconstruction 11 and the insert construction(s) 12, preferably comprisesa resilient material construction. The resilient material construction,particularly at the wall portion 212, enables a resiliently compressedstacking arrangement as generally depicted in FIG. 12. The resilientlycompressed stacking arrangement generally depicted in FIG. 12 forms acompressed stacked height of lid-insert combinations as at height 124.Compressed stacked height 124 is lesser than decompressed stacked height125 otherwise generally depicted in FIG. 11.

A lid-insert combination packaging method, according to the presentinvention and believed supported by the foregoing specifications anddrawings submitted in support thereof, minimizes packaging space and maypreferably provide end-users with pre-relaxed lid-insert combinations.The packaging method according to the present invention may be said topreferably comprise the initial step of outfitting a series of lidconstructions (e.g. lid constructions 11) with a series of insertconstructions (e.g. insert constructions 12) or forming a series ofinsert-outfitted lid assemblies, each outfitted lid construction beingconfigurable in a first radially-directed lid configuration (as at lidassemblies 50) or a second radially-directed lid configuration (as atlid assemblies 51) opposite the first radially-directed lidconfiguration.

In other words, the first radially-directed lid configuration isoriented such that the anterior aspects of the lid assemblies extend ina first radial direction as at arrow 126, and the secondradially-directed lid configuration is oriented such that the anterioraspects of the lid assemblies extend in a second radial direction 127opposite the first radial direction 126. The series of insert-outfittedlid assemblies are stacked in a relaxed stacked columnar formation, suchthat the first lid configuration is alternated with the second lidconfiguration. The relaxed stacked columnar formation may then becompressed into compressed stacked columnar formation as generallydepicted in FIG. 12, and later decompressed from the compressed stackedcolumnar formation into a decompressed stacked columnar formation as isgenerally depicted in FIG. 11.

The compressed stacked columnar formation may be force-maintained viacertain force maintenance means as may be exemplified by a certainwrapping or packaging, and the force-maintained compressed stackedcolumnar formation may then be shipped to an end user. Noting that thewalls of the outfitted lid constructions may preferably comprise certainresilient materials, the method may comprise the optional steps ofradially actuating (as at arrow 128) the resilient materialconstructions (e.g. of the walls 212) via underlying upper wall-engagingportions (e.g. peaks 210) of successive lid constructions during thecompression step thereby creating a first space 130 between wall 22 andwall 212; and radially relaxing (as at arrow 129) the resilient materialconstructions (e.g. of the walls 212) during the decompression stepthereby creating a second space 131 between wall 22 and wall 212, thesecond space 131 being greater than the first space 130 as comparativelydepicted in FIGS. 11 and 11A versus FIGS. 12 and 12A.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference tocertain preferred embodiments and certain associated methodologies, itis not intended that the novel arrangement and methods be limitedthereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included asfalling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosuresand the appended drawings.

I claim:
 1. A hot beverage container assembly for enabling a user toenhance heat transfer from a relatively hot assembly-contained beverageprior to consumption, the hot beverage container assembly comprising, incombination: a beverage container and a lid construction, the lidconstruction comprising a primary beverage outlet, a downwardly extendedprimary dam structure, and at least one beverage-cooling channel, thelid construction being attachable to the beverage container for defininga lower beverage-containing compartment, the primary dam structure beinglocated in inferior adjacency to the primary beverage outlet forselectively transferring beverage intermediate the beverage-containingcompartment and the at least one beverage-cooling channel, eachbeverage-cooling channel for directing beverage therethrough andtransferring heat therefrom before said beverage exits the primarybeverage outlet, the primary dam structure thereby providingbeverage-redirection means for enabling the user to redirect beveragemovement via the lid construction for delaying beverage delivery via theprimary beverage outlet and transferring heat therefrom prior tobeverage consumption.
 2. The hot beverage container assembly of claim 1wherein the downwardly extended primary dam structure extends inwardlyand partially across a diameter of the lid construction in inferioradjacency to the primary beverage outlet.
 3. The hot beverage containerassembly of claim 1 wherein lid construction defines an annularperipheral beverage-receiving channel for effecting radially directedheat transfer from the hot beverage through walls of the lidconstruction, the radially directed heat transfer effected by thebeverage-receiving channel for enhancing heat transfer from the hotbeverage prior to exiting the primary beverage outlet.
 4. The hotbeverage container assembly of claim 3 wherein the beverage-redirectionmeans comprise primary and secondary apertures, the primary aperturesfor outletting hot beverage from the beverage-containing compartmentinto the at least one beverage cooling channel, the secondary aperturesfor redirecting beverage movement between beverage-cooling channels forenhancing heat transfer characteristics of the hot beverage containerassembly.
 5. A lid construction for enabling a user to transfer heatfrom a relatively hot assembly-contained liquid, the lid constructioncomprising: a primary liquid outlet, at least one liquid-coolingchannel, and a primary dam structure, the primary dam structure forselectively transferring liquid intermediate a liquid-containingcompartment and the at least one liquid-cooling channel, eachliquid-cooling channel for directing liquid therethrough and receivingheat therefrom before said liquid exits the primary liquid outlet, theprimary dam structure thus providing liquid-redirection means fordelaying liquid delivery via the primary liquid outlet and transferringheat therefrom.
 6. The lid construction of claim 5 wherein the primarydam structure extends downwardly and peripherally inwardly partiallyacross a diameter of the lid construction in inferior adjacency to theprimary beverage outlet.
 7. The lid construction of claim 6 beingstackable in a series of successive container lid constructions, thedownwardly extended primary dam structures of a first set of containerlid constructions extending downwardly in superior adjacency to lowerportions of a second set of container lid constructions, the series ofsuccessive container lid constructions thus for reducing stacked spacefor packaging and lid delivery purposes.
 8. The lid construction ofclaim 5 wherein the at least one liquid-cooling channel comprises anannular liquid-receiving channel for annularly channelingchannel-received liquid for effecting radially directed heat transferfrom said channel-received liquid.
 9. The container lid construction ofclaim 8 wherein the liquid-redirection means comprise primary andsecondary apertures, the primary apertures for outletting liquid fromthe liquid-containing compartment into the at least one liquid-coolingchannel, the secondary apertures for prolonging liquid progressionwithin the at least one beverage-cooling channel for enhancing heattransfer characteristics of the lid construction.
 10. The lidconstruction of claim 6 comprising a lid top and a lid rim, the lid topbeing angled obliquely relative to the lid rim.
 11. The lid constructionof claim 10 wherein the obliquely angled lid top of a first lidconstruction may be oriented in opposed inferior adjacency to theprimary dam structure of a second lid construction for creating a lidstacking arrangement characterized by oppositely faced anterior aspectsof the lid constructions in sequentially stacked lid constructions, saidlid stacking arrangement for reducing stacked height of lidconstructions.
 12. The lid construction of claim 11 comprising aresilient material construction, the resilient material construction forenabling a resiliently compressed lid stacking arrangement for forming acompressed stacked height of lid constructions.
 13. An insertconstruction for outfitting a lid construction so as to enable a user totransfer heat from a relatively hot liquid via the outfitted containerlid, the insert construction being attachable to a lid construction fordefining at least one liquid-cooling channel intermediate the lid andinsert constructions, the insert construction comprising a primary damstructure, the primary dam structure for selectively transferring liquidintermediate a liquid-containing compartment and the at least oneliquid-cooling channel, the liquid-cooling channel for effecting heattransfer from channel-received liquid before said liquid exits a primaryliquid outlet formed in the lid construction, the primary dam structurefor enabling the user to delay liquid delivery via the primary liquidoutlet and enhance heat transfer therefrom prior to liquid delivery. 14.The insert construction of claim 13 wherein a portion of the primary damstructure extends inwardly from an insert perimeter, the portion of theprimary dam structure being extendable partially across the diameter ofthe lid construction in inferior adjacency to the primary beverageoutlet.
 15. The insert construction of claim 13 comprising a peripheralliquid-directing groove, the peripheral liquid-directing grooveextending in an annular manner when the insert construction is attachedto a lid construction for directing liquid into an annular channeldefined by the liquid-directing groove and a lid wall of the lidconstruction, the annular channel for annularly channelingchannel-received liquid for effecting radially directed heat transferfrom said channel-received liquid.
 16. The insert construction of claim13 comprising primary and secondary apertures, the primary apertures forinletting liquid into the at least one liquid-cooling channel, thesecondary apertures for delaying liquid delivery via the primary liquidoutlet thereby enhancing heat transfer from the liquid.
 17. A lidpackaging method, the packaging method for minimizing lid packagingspace, the lid packaging method comprising the steps of: forming aseries of lid constructions, each lid construction being configurable ina first or a second lid configuration, the first lid configuration beingoriented in a first radial direction, and the second lid configurationbeing oriented in a second radial direction opposite the first radialdirection; and stacking the series of lid constructions in a relaxedstacked columnar formation, the first lid configuration being alternatedwith the second lid configuration.
 18. The lid packaging method of claim18 wherein the step of forming the series of lid constructions comprisesthe step of outfitting a set of basic lid constructions with a set ofinsert constructions thereby forming a series of insert-outfitted lidconstructions.
 19. The lid packaging method of claim 17 comprising thestep of compressing the relaxed stacked columnar formation into acompressed stacked columnar formation.
 20. The lid packaging method ofclaim 19 comprising the step of decompressing the compressed stackedcolumnar formation to a decompressed stacked columnar formation.
 21. Thelid packaging method of claim 19 wherein first portions of the lidconstructions comprise resilient material, the resilient material beingradially actuable via underlying second portions of successive lidconstructions during the step of compressing the relaxed stackedcolumnar formation into a compressed stacked columnar formation.
 22. Thelid packaging method of claim 20 wherein first portions of the lidconstructions comprise resilient material, the resilient material beingradially relaxable via underlying second portions of successive lidconstructions during the step of decompressing the compressed stackedcolumnar formation to a decompressed stacked columnar formation.